S2:E18 Yvonne Durant I Quite the Contrary by Design

Corner Table Talk

One Mother’s Day, Yvonne Durant's life took an interesting turn while dining with her twin sister, Yvette, at the popular restaurant, The Cellar, on NYC's Upper West Side. "My eyes started to wander across the room to the front of the entrance. When a flash of orange [jumpsuit] caught my eye. I remember thinking Harry Krishna and going back to my salad. I think Yvette whispered 'Miles Davis just came in.'" recalls Yvonne. What ensued was romantic, frantic, and unforgettable.
In her audio memoir, Quite the Contrary, On Life, Work, and Loving Miles Davis, Yvonne vividly portrays a unique coming-of-age story as a trail-blazing career woman who was determined to design her course and succeed on her terms while maintaining her sanity in life, work, and love including an intimate account of her love affair with jazz legend, Miles Davis. It’s a rare glimpse into the life of That Girl or Mary Tyler Moore from an African-American perspective.
Yvonne was one of the few Black women writing ads for major brands in the ‘70s and ‘80s, beginning her career in New York City. Ultimately, she won a position at a global ad agency in Milan, Italy. While her career was exciting, it was a challenge to be self-defining in a Mad Men world that had little experience with or respect for Black experience.
Join host, Brad Johnson and long-time friend, Yvonne, as they recall the shared experience of NYC's Upper West Side in the 80's, Yvonne's interest and expertise in etiquette, her pioneering career journey as a copywriter and Audible editor including her experience in Milan, Italy. Yvonne provides an insightful look into her relationship with Miles that provides a peek into what it's like dating someone so creatively gifted and a celebrity as well as the moments that made it so special. Join us at the corner table!
Play Audio Book Trailer
Photo Credit: Audible Originals, LLC

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